Glove construction



Aug. 2, 1938. e. w. GEISSMANN GLOVE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS GLOVE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 1. 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MIMI . INVENTOR AT ORNEYS PatentedAug;2,1 938" p 1 6 3 I UNITED STATES; PATENT OFFICE onova cons'moc'rron V Gladys Whitcomb Gelssmann, New York, N. Y.

Application March 1, 1938, Serial No. "193,226 9 Claims. (Cl. 2169) This invention relates to gloves and partlcueach finger are u'sedand which are properly larly to finger and thumb constructions for sport, shaped to provide accurately formed and propinformal and dress gloves. erly fitting finger portions. f

Gloves of the type now commonly manufac- Another object of the invention is to provide tured have finger portions consisting of extengloves having continuous fourchettes forfeach 5 sions from theback and palm portions of the finger extending around the end of each=finger gloves. The fingerportions are joined by strips of the glove and. which produce rearwardly commonly known as fourchettes which extend slanting crotches between the finger portions from the crotch of the finger portions to the tips which fit closely and conform to the shape'pf the 10 only. The fourchettesnare cut substantially to crotches between the fingers. 10 points at the tips of the fingers and, therefore, A further object of the invention is to provide when stitched or sewed into the finger portions, gloves havingfourchettes extending continuously form somewhat pointed ends thereon. The from the tip of the thumb, where they form "the seams connecting the fourchettes to the front inside half ofthethumbs, to between thefirst l5- and back strips of the finger portions also come and second fingers and which are shaped to protogether at the tips of the finger, thereby acduce extreme flexibility, in the thumb portion centuating the pointed effect. This type of finand adequate fullness to accommodate the ger construction has several disadvantages, printhumb and thumb muscles.

cipally improper shape and fit, reduced flexibil- Other objects of the invention 'will become ity and tendencies to rip when subjected to apparent from the description of typical forms 20 stresses making a diflicult repair problem. of gloves embodying the present invention.

Few, if .any, persons have pointed fingers which Gloves made in accordance with my invention properly and-closely fitin this type of glove. The may consist of back and palm portions. either four seams converging-to a point at the ends of formed separately or as a unit from any desired 25. the fingers constrict the free action of the fingers type of material such as, for example, leather or and cause a pinched feeling at the ends of the fabric, and which are provided with projecting fingers, finger portions of the proper shape andsize to It-has been suggested, as shown by the patent correspond to the size and shape of the hand of to Johanson, No. 1,864,439, patented June 21, the individual who is to use the same. I

80 1932, that the manufacture of gloves can be Preferably, the finger portions of the gloves simplified by using a single strip of material of are 'of substantially uniform width throughout uniform width as a continuous fourchette which their length except adjacent the free ends thereextends around all of the fingers. This conofv where they are rather sharply tapered to corstruction is mechanically simple but it also respond to the change in shape of the end joint renders'the shape of the finger portions of the of the finger. The finger portions on the back 5 gloves defective. As the width of the fourchette portion of the gloves are made somewhat longer is constant, the distance between the front and than the finger portions on the palm side of the the rear portions of the fingers of theglove does gloves in order to properly fit from the base of not taper as do the fingers. Also, any difference the crotch to the end of the fingers. In other 40 in size or diameter of the fingers must be prowords, the slots between the finger portions on 40 vided for by varying the width of the finger porthe back of the glove are longer than the cortions on the palm or back side of the glove, responding slots on the palm portion of the glove. thereby rendering the seams non-uniformly The back and palm portions are sewed tospaced apart onthe fingers of the gloves. In gether along the body of the glove in any de- 46 addition, the crotch formed by the fourchette sired fashion, and fourchettes of a novel type are between the \fingers is at substantially right placed between and attached to the finger porangles to the front and back of the glove and tions of the glove. Generally the fourchettes not tapering toward th'e back as does the crotch may consist of strips of matching leather or between the fingers. These structural defects fabric, or, if it is desired to form multicolored or 50 would be particularly noticeable in the comfort highly ornamental gloves, they may be of con- 50 of any glove and as a result, the use of fourtrasting material or color. The fourchettes are chettes of uniform width is restricted to gloves characterized by having wider ends than center in which fit isno object. portions, thereby producing gradually tapering An object of the present invention is to profingers when they are stitched between the fin- 65 vide gloves in which continuous fourchettesfor ger portions of the palm and back of the glove.

The fourchettes extend entirely around the ends of the fingers, thereby allowing close and accurate control of the overall diameter of each finger portion.

As set forth above, the slots between the finger portions of the back and palm sides of the glove are of different depths and, accordingly, the ends of the fourchettes are cut at an acute' angle in order to fit within and connect the bases of these slots. This construction provides a tapering or inclined base in the crotch which closely fits within the crotch between the fingers when the glove is worn. This construction also allows the tips of the fingers to be tapered slightly inwardly from the back toward the palm side, thereby more closely conforming to the shape of the human finger and providing a space for reception of the fingernails.

The glove may also include a novel thumb construction in which a separately formed outer thumb piece is attached in a suitable aperture in or space between the glove portions and extendsto the edge of the cuff. The inner portion of the thumb may be formed from a portion of the fourchette which extends around the end of the first finger and down to the crotch between the first and second fingers. This construction avoids the usual transverse seams in the inner portion of the thumb and greatly increases the flexibility and wearing quality of the glove.

As indicated above, gloves may be made of contrasting or similar types of material, thereby producing a novel eifect and allowing combinations of colors and decorative materials to be used to great advantage. The fourchettes and other separate portions of the glove may be attached by any desired means of stitching, depending upon the type of glove to be produced. For example, they may be provided with raw seams attached by cross stitching or roll stitching, or the gloves, if desired, may be provided with inturned seams to form smooth outer surfaces.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one'form of glove blank made in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a view of a thumb piece for the glove;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a fourchette for completing the thumb portion of the glove and the first finger;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a fourchette for completing the little finger and the adjacent side of the glove;

Figure 5 is a plan view of two fourchettes used for the middle two fingers;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the glove formed from the blanks in Figures 1 to 5, looking at the back portion of the glove;

Figure 7 is a perspectivevlew of the glove, looking toward the palm side of the glove;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the glove as shown in Figures 6 and '7, disclosing the finger construction Figure 9 is a plan view of a modified blank forming the palm portion of the glove;

Figure 10 is a plan view oi a modified to of back portion of the glove;

Figure 11 is a plan view of the back portion of the thumb of the glove;

Figure 13 is a plan view of a fourchette used for completing the thumb and first finger of the glove; and

Figure 12 is a plan view of two fourchettes for other fingers of the glove.

The form of glove disclosed in Figures 6, 7 and 8 is formed from a blank Ill consisting of a unitary piece of material having finger portions ll, I2, ll, ll, l4, l3, l2 and II thereon. The finger portions ll, i2, i3 and it are formed on the palm side Illa of the glove blank and cooperate with finger portions i I, l2, l3 and ingrespectively, on the backportion lllb'of the glove to form the fingers thereof. The slots i5 between the finger portions II to H are of greater length or depth than the slots l6 between the finger portions II to ll. of the slots II and it corresponds substantially to the difierence in the depth of the crotch between the fingers at the front and back of the hand, whereby the fourchettes which are fitted therein will produce a tapering closed crotch accurately conforming to the shape of the crotches between the fingers.

A generally oval-shaped opening I! is cut out of the palm portion of the blank iii to provide an aperture for reception of the thumb piece is of the glove. The aperture i1 is provided with an inwardly projecting portion it which serves as a matching point for assembling the thumb piece I! with the glove and also for properly shaping the thumb piece when it is placed on the glove. The thumb piece I! which is best illustrated in Figure 2, consists of a blank having a narrow projecting portion 20 thereon forming the back of the thumb and an enlarged oval portion 2| which fits around the base of the thumb or the thumb muscle and within theaperture H in the blank l0. Between the elongated portion 20 is an angular portion 22 forming the matching point to be attached in alignment with the matching point ll of the glove blank l0. Substantially opposite the matching point 22 is another matching point 23 which is brought into alignment with and attached to the glove blank ill at the base of the forefinger portion It, as best shown in Figure 6.

The thumb portion is when attached to the glove blank Ill may be completed by afiixing thereto the fourchette 24 disclosed in Figure 3. The fourchette 24 consists generally of an elongated and curved end portion 25 generally of the configuration of the inner surface of the thumb which is connected at an angle to an elongated tapered portion 28 which forms the entire fourchette for the forefinger and serves to connect the inner and outer edges of the finger portions II, M, as best shown in Figures 6 and 7.

The little finger portion of the glove is formed by means of finger portions H and H and the fourchette 21 shown in Figure 4. The fourchette 21 consists of an elongated tapered strip 28 which is attached to and connects the outer edges of the glove blank Hi from the cufl. to the end of the little finger and is turned inwardly so that the oppositely tapered portion 29 thereof forms the inner portion of the little finger portion II, II of the glove. The second and third fingers of the glove are formed of finger portions i2, i2, and l3, l3 and iourchettes 30 and 3| disclosed in Figure 5. The fourchettes 30 and 3| are similarly shaped elements consisting of strips of material tapering from their ends toward the center portion in order to provide fingers which taper gradually from adjacent the body portions of the gloves to the ends of the fingers.

The fourchettes 24, 21, 30 and 3| are provided with inclined end portions of proper angularity The difiference in the length to extend to the bottoms of the slots l and II imam provide tapering crotches therebetween .to conform closely to the shape of the fingers and to the hand, thereby producinga very closely and accurately fitting glove.

In assembling the glove, the thumb piece I! may be placed in the aperture I! with matching point flat the matching point IS on the glove blank and stitched in place. The fourchette 24 is then placed with the enlarged oval portion 25 adjacent the elongated portion 20 of the complete the fingers.

thumb piece and the elongated tapered portion 26 of the fourchette covering the forefinger portions I4, l4 throughout their entire extent and downwardly into the crotch formed by the slots I5 and i5 and stitched in place. Thefourchettes 30 and 3| are likewise joined to the finger portions l2, l2, l3, l3 and stitched in place to The fourch te TI completes the glove and extends from the crotch of the little finger portions I I, ii. to the edge of the gauntlet portion of' the palm Illa and back portions 10b of the glove and is stitched in place, as best shown in Figures 6 and '7, thus completing the glove. It will be understood that the tapered ends of the fourchettes 24,11, 30 and 31 are stitched together in the crotches between the finger portions to form a unitary glove construction. 5 The completed glove is thus provided with properly tapering fingers, inclined crotches between the fingers and a thumb portion in which there is no transverse seam to reduce the flexibility of the thumb. These structural features combine to form a very fiexible and properly fitting glove. In Figures 9 to 13 are disclosed various parts ofa modified form of glove which may be com bined to form a gloveconstructionsimilar to that described above. The portions of the glove blank consist of a back portion 40 having finger portions 4|, 42, 43 and 44 thereon separated by the usual slots. In Figure 9 is disclosed the palm portion 45 of the glove having finger portions 4|, 42343 and 44' thereon and a recess 46 therein for receiving the thumb piece 41 which is shown in Figure 11. The thumb piece is provided with an elongated thumb back 48, a wider thumb portion 49 having matching points 50 and 51 thereon, to be joined to the glove back at matche ing point 52 and to the palm of the glove at matching point 53, respectively. An outwardly extending portion 54 is also provided which is joined between adjacent portions of the glove back 4|! and the glove palm 45 with the lower edge of the thumb piece 41 in alignment with the lower edges of the back 40 and palm portion 45. In Figure 13 is disclosed a fourchette 55 which is substantially identical with the fourchette 24 described above and which is joined to the thumb piece 41, the back 40 and the palm portion 45 of the glove, as described above.

This form of glove is assembled in a manner similar to the glove construction disclosed in ligures 1 to 8,, with the exception that the thumb piece 41 joins the palm portion 45 to the back portion 40 in the manner described above.

Gloves made in accordance with my invention may be ornamented in any desired way. For example, the fourchettes and connecting portions may be made of-= material of different type or different color from the front and back portions to producehighly ornamental constructions. Likewise, the wrist or gauntlet portions may be'varied in shape in accordance with prevailing styles and may be ornamented with embroidery, stitches or coloring, if desired. It will be understood that the finger portions may be varied in taper in order to produce differently tapering fingers in accordance with the shape of the fingersof the person for whom they are to be made. My construction thus lends itself to the production of custom-made gloves with 'reat facility and also provides a simple and econo cal way of producing ready-made gloves. r

It will be understood that the shape arid size of the parts of the glove. maybe varied as desired in order to produce gloves of proper configurationand, therefore, theembodiments dlsclosed should be considered as illustrative only and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A glove comprising palm and back portions thumb, and a fourchette connected to the edgesof the tab to form the front of the thumb and extending along the edges of the forefinger portions.

2. A glove comprising palm and back portions having finger portions separated by slots, the

slots in the back portion being longer than the slots in the palm portion, and fourchettes connecting the corresponding finger portions of the palm and back portions, at least two of said fourchettes having joined inclined ends disposed at the inner ends of .corresponding slots and forming an inclined crotch between said finger portions, said fourchettes extending over the ends of and connecting the edges of the finger portions in spaced apart relationship throughout.

3. A glove comprising palm and back portions having finger portions projecting therefrom and separated by slots, means connected to the palm and back portions and, forming the back of the thumb and a fourchette having a rounded end portion connected to the edges of the means forming the back of the thumb and an elongated narrower portion connecting the inner and outer edges of the forefinger portions and extending into the slots between the forefinger and second finger portions.

4. A glove comprising palm and back portions having finger portions extending therefrom and separated by slots, the slots between the finger portions on the. back portion being of greater length than the slots in the palm portion and defining inclined crotches; fourchettes connecting the finger portions to form completed glove fingers, one of said fourchettes consisting or an elongated strip having an inclined end corresponding to the inclination of the crotch between the third and'fourth fingers and extending from said crotch outwardly around the end of the fourth finger, along the outer portion of the fourth finger and connecting the edges of thepalm and, back portions ofthev glove, said fourchette decreasing in .width from the end.

disposed in said crotch to a narrower portionof substantial width at the end of the fourthfingen 5. A glove comprising palm' and back portions havingv finger portions projecting therefrom and separated by slots, the slots in the back portion being longer than the slotsin the palm portion to define inclined crotches between said finger portions and finger portions on the back portion which project outwardly'beyond the-finger porticns on the palm portion, at least one fourchette connecting corresponding finger portions of the palm and back portions and. extendingfinger portions to space the finger p0 ions apart throughout their entire extent, the portion of said fourchette disposed at the inner nd of said slots' being inclined ,complernentarily to the from the crotches entirely over the finds of the,

crotchesdefined by the slots, whereby the crotches 7. A iourchette adapted to form a portion or a thumb and the sides and end of a finger of a glove comprising an elongated strip of flexible material having longitudinal edge portions converging from adjacent one'end to a narrower portion spaced from one end, said one end having an end edgeincllned at an acute angle to one of said longitudinal edges of the strip and posed with relation to the strip and having a rounded end and conversinscurved edge portions merging into said strip. U

8. In a glove the combination of palm and back'portions having fingervp rtions thereon, fourchette strips joining the edges of corresponding finger portions and extending from the bases of the finger portions continuously around the ends thereof, said strips being. of substantial widthatlthe ends of the finger portions and increasing in width in accordance with the increase in thickness of the fingers of a hand toward the bases of the finger portions, andbeing joined at the bases of the finger portions at angles corresponding to the lnclinationof the crotches between said fingers to form inclined crotches between the finger portions.

9. The glove set forth in claim 8 comprising a thumb back portion joined to the palm-and back portions and forming the major portion of the thumb of the glove, anda strip having a rounded end portion conforming substantially in shape to the front of a thumb of a hand joined to the edges of the-thumb back portion and extending along the sides of and joined to the edges of the corresponding finger portions adjacen the thumb back portion.

GLADYS WHITCOMB GEISSMANN.

g the other vend being offset and angularly dis- 

